During her visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed the importance of the alliance between the two countries in dealing with regional challenges.
At the end of an hour-long meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Clinton characterized the turmoil affecting the region as "a time of uncertainty, but also an opportunity." Clinton is headed into a packed day of meetings with top Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is also expected to meet Clinton in Jerusalem. But Clinton is not expected to visit the Palestinian territories as she did in her last tour in the Middle East two years ago.
Clinton says, "I look forward to the other meetings today, where we will continue our discussions on a broader range of matters, including Egypt and Syria, Peace efforts, Iran, other regional and global issues. I already had a chance to discuss that with Foreign Minister Lieberman, as well as President Peres. I will have word say about them, and all the work that Israel and the United States are doing together, at a press conference this evening."
Israel's President Shimon Peres (L) stands with U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton before their meeting in Jerusalem July 16, 2012.
中国公共网摘编:GAN JADE |